24 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

I bought a Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. It was very highly rated, but at $399, was considered too high.

 

I went to Best Buy and was told a newer version was out, and the sales rep said there was no noticeable difference, but they were selling their last 2 of the previous model for $269. I bought one.

 

Very happy with it.

 

I use it so I can be around family in the evening, catching up on email and maybe a little real estate research instead of being stuck in the office.

 

Works great.

[mrdavex]

Hi Deb,

 

Thanks for the update.  So delighted you bought something with Intel inside.  Hopefully the SSD is also Intel.  I'd never buy a laptop with mechanical hard disk again.  Sorry to hear that you had tech difficulties with this one.  

I recall that you work from home.  If so, and you have the space for it, I stand by my recommendation of buying a large external monitor, external mouse, and external keyboard.  You will really benefit ergonomically, and have good productivity.  Plus you can still take the laptop around wherever you need it.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Not happy yet.

 

When the battery, which is supposed to provide up to 11 hours of juice, is fully charged it reads anywhere from 4 hours to 7 hours....and then every few minutes changes: 5:35, 6:42; 3:05; 4:29....etc. There is no way to know how much time is available.

 

So.... I handed over my computer to a techie who did remote analysis and determined that the battery was good, but that I likely needed a new systems board. Sent the computer back.

 

Received a battery; no explanation.

 

A few days later received my computer with a document that said the fix was a new battery.

 

Fully charged the battery; same problem!

 

Handed over the computer to a techie who did a remote analysis and determined that the new battery is good, and that I likely need a new systems board. I need to send it back again.

 

Ask me if I'm having fun yet...or if I have this kind of time to waste.

 

Another issue: The webcam that comes with the computer projects our image in black and white unless we're in a very bright room. There are no settings for this; it automatically switches to night mode or something. I never had this problem with the ASUS.

 

Nope, not having fun.

[nomad]

FYI all of these projected battery life times are under "optimal" conditions with low screen brightness, no apps running, etc. It's unlikely that any laptop or tablet will ever live up to the marketing speak battery life estimates. And as the battery gets older the time gets shorter!

 

Sending your laptop in for repairs over and over is not going to cure this problem.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

FYI all of these projected battery life times are under "optimal" conditions with low screen brightness, no apps running, etc. It's unlikely that any laptop or tablet will ever live up to the marketing speak battery life estimates. And as the battery gets older the time gets shorter!

 

Sending your laptop in for repairs over and over is not going to cure this problem.

 

I have very little installed on this new computer and the computer is set for low screen brightness. I am talking about fluctuations that start as soon as I boot it up and do nothing. I've had several laptops before this one and have never had one with this issue. A battery that is supposed to have up to 11 hours of juice on it shouldn't start (at 100% charged) with 3 hours something and then jump around -- never getting anywhere close to 11 hours. If I take the computer to go meet with a client I have no idea how much juice I actually have. There's something wrong with this. I understand that based on apps used the battery may run down faster than other times, but I've never had a computer that kept drastically changing its mind up and down while doing nothing.

 

Example, at 90% charged it starts off reading 3:53

 

20 seconds later: 4:37

5 seconds later: 6:08

10 seconds later: 5:46

1 minute later: 6:55

30 seconds later: 4:59

 

This isn't right. Other times it bounces to 2 hours something.... up to 6 hours something, back to 2 hours something. Again, with nothing running. The techs who have assessed this remotely have seen what I'm talking about and both said I need a new systems board.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Lenovo replaced the systems board. The time remaining no longer fluctuates all over the place, but the battery life fully charged comes no where close to 11 hours (maybe 5 or 6). At least I now have two batteries.

 

Finally loaded all of my files onto the new computer and have had a chance to actually do some typing. So far... I hate the trackpad. Maybe I just don't know how to use it right, but I can't find clear instructions anywhere on the internet (or in the manual) on how to resolve the issues I'm having... so I'll likely have to contact tech support AGAIN.

 

Not happy yet.

[mac_convert]

Lenovo replaced the systems board. The time remaining no longer fluctuates all over the place, but the battery life fully charged comes no where close to 11 hours (maybe 5 or 6). At least I now have two batteries.

 

Finally loaded all of my files onto the new computer and have had a chance to actually do some typing. So far... I hate the trackpad. Maybe I just don't know how to use it right, but I can't find clear instructions anywhere on the internet (or in the manual) on how to resolve the issues I'm having... so I'll likely have to contact tech support AGAIN.

 

Not happy yet.

I know you mentioned earlier in the thread you didn't want a Mac, but I have never had any problems like this. I always buy applecare because I am hard on my computer . . . lug it to work and have hardwood floors.

[camay2327]

You got to love your MAC.    I have like an IMAC with a  28" monitor and I love it....

[cw68]

Yes, Macs are awesome (I have four in the house, will be five later today), but as Deb stated, she's not comfortable getting one.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

It's not that I'm uncomfortable with Macs. Most of my clients have PCs, and there are formatting glitches between Word for Macs and Word for PCs.

I've used touchpads on previous computers without these issues. I'm hoping tech support can resolve them for me.